Reaping Me Softly

Chapter 49 - When She Cries

I don’t get why one has to suffer in results of other people’s mistakes.

I was not born to carry my parents’ pain. I was not made so they could blame me for something I never do. They chose to live in darkness, my parents chose the life they have now, and I didn’t choose to be sculpted only to suffer from their wrong decisions they both committed.

My life shall not reflect theirs. I am in control of how I wanted my life would be and I’ve choose to live in happiness, wherein contentment showered the heart they always breaks, where love was overflowing, and free.

Freedom.

I wanted to live in freedom. I don’t want the path they chose, all I wanted was for them to let me live on my own, without hearing anything from them... Without them dictating how I should live my life.

It was tiring, surely. Anyone in my shoe would feel tired and that could results one to rebel. As for me, I didn’t... Well, sort of.

But it was because for my happiness, it was for me... For my son.

I gave up the better future that awaits me. But what is life when happiness is absent? What is luxury if I’m not emotionally contented?

Those are nothing. Money could be earned, but love and joy... It’s rare to find.

Sure, I could be happy without anyone. But I have learned to love not just myself but Simeon, too. It would be hard for me to let go of someone who became part of my life.

And someone who left a remnant of our love.

Leighton... I have made up my mind. Now that I’m starting to build my own family, even if I still have nothing to show off to my son, still, I wouldn’t leave them for luxuries.

“Baby...” Simeon held my hands tight. “We’re in this together, remember? I won’t let you take all these alone, Lia.”

My hands were shaking, even my teeth was chattering relentlessly due to anxiousness. I felt like I would have a nervous breakdown anytime now thinking of later.

It was not the best decision. If I were asked, I’d rather hide and never show myself again to my family, totally ending our ties. I would want to not communicate with them regarding this matter, the relationship I kept from them, and my pregnancy.

But for some reason, Simeon convinced me. Despite the uncertainties, I still allowed him to pursued me, to bring me to this situation.

“They won’t let us be together, Simeon...” I said wearily, gripping his hand tight. “They will take me away from you... And we’ll both be apart, baby. They will take me away and son away from you. They might even do something that would put our lives at risk.”

I am overthinking again, yes. But that’s how bad I see my parents. They would do anything to get what they wanted.

Even if it means ruining me. Like they usually do.

“Baby, stop thinking that way. That may be possible but we will not let them break us apart, Lia. Now that we have Leighton, I won’t let anyone tear us apart. Not now, or in the future.”

I took a deep breath. We’re on the way to a private restaurant, as usual. We’re going to talk... With my parents, and Tita Astrid will be there, too. I don’t have a high hopes that this can be fixed through talk knowing my parents.

I don’t trust them.

Sighing, I put my free hand above my tummy, caressing it through my clothes.

“I trust you, Simeon...” I said as I closed my eyes. “If this would turn out not good, or them trying to take me away from you, please... I beg you, don’t let them. I can’t imagine myself living without you. They will just probably lock me up and wait ‘till I give birth, then they might try to take Leighton away.”

I know I’m being unreasonable. But still, the possibilities... I only trust Simeon, I know he wouldn’t let them win.

When we got there, everything was oddly quiet. Yet my insides were screaming in fear... I can’t even let go of Simeon even after we sat across my parents who were just eyeing me with their strict surveying glances.

It has been months... I still felt a sting whenever I received their judgmental stares, especially when their gaze landed on my stomach. Like it was the most disgusting thing they have ever seen.

Perhaps because it was me...

Right... They’re my parents after all.

I can’t help but compared them to Tita Astrid. She scolded not just Simeon but also me, saying we were too young to be a parent, but eventually, she learned to accept it as it happened already, we can’t take back the time and reverse to change the situation.

Nevertheless, I should not let their stares cut me in half. It hurts, yes, a bit. However, it was nothing compared to what I’ve been through lately.

“It’s not good to see you again, Lia...” It was my mother. Disgusts was evident on her face as she stares at me lowly. “You turned out to be a s lut, huh. I didn’t know that I raise one. Who knows that you have a hidden itch that needed to be scratch?”

She even shook her head in revolt.

My palms formed into a fists. I felt Simeon held it under the table, unclenching my fists which I hardly did.

We just sat down. We even didn’t greet each other yet but guess my mother has came up of a way to greet me this way.

Insulting. Disgusting.

If she felt disgusted by the fact that I got pregnant at such a young age, I felt sick at the mere fact that she was my mother, sadly. She should have not given a chance to bear one. Well, I’m still glad that I was brought alive in this world but I’m hoping that she’d stop after me.

“We’re not here to insult each other,” Tita Astrid rebuked. “We clearly expressed our intention, Mrs. Laura. We’re here to sort things out, so we could avoid further harassment you could pull off to my daughter-in-law here, Lia.”

She was calm.

I don’t have the means to call my mother my mother. I felt sick whenever I mentioned it.

Laura turned to looked at Tita Astrid who was chilling, sitting as the head in the long table.

“I was not talking to you,” she replied. “I was referring to my daughter who became s lut for your good for nothing son.”

I lowered my head down. The food was served already before we arrived. But it was left untouched.

“I’m not letting you disrespect Lia that way.”

I deliberately raised my head when I heard how serious Simeon’s voice was. When I looked at him, that was when I noticed his grim expression. I have seen his face turned dark before, but this time, it was different.

Even I felt scared. Yet he assured me through squeezing my hand as if telling me that don’t... That it’s not him that I shall fear, or even anyone.

It should be no one. I shall fear no one.

“We’re not here to cause any more trouble. If you’re not going to swallow your pride and if you are just going to continue on being a good for nothing parents to Lia, then we have to put an end to this meeting, Mrs. Laura.” Every words that came out of his lips were sharp. “Clearly, this would lead us to nothing if you keep being a bad b itch who only cares for your own sake, for your damn reputation you won’t carry with you on your grave. And guess what?”

I almost throw up after hearing Simeon’s choice of word! I don’t even know what to say, or even react! Should I be pissed? Or be happy that he had that courage to talk to them like that?!

Damn. What a badass.

“On your funeral, I’d make you an eulogy telling everyone how bad you treat your daughter. That would be forever engraved in everyone minds who’d attend on the day of your burial.”

I pinched his hand, telling him to stop.

I could see how my mother face turned red in anger. Even my father who was silent beside her seems anguish, too, basing on his jaw that was clenched tightly. His nostrils were getting bigger as if holding himself to burst out in anger.

“Simeon...” I whispered.

“I’m not done yet, Lia...” he said firmly.

“Shut up, Simeon,” Tita Astrid warned, getting her fork and knife to cut the meat in pieces. “But my son was right, Laura. If you’re not going to act nice, we might as well leave.”

“Then, leave!” Laura’s voiced thundered in anger. “But you!” She pointed her finger at me, eyes were directly staring at me. Her finger was shaking, obviously pissed. “You will go with us, Lia! I won’t let you be with that guy who has nothing to show off!”

“Mama!” I shouted in distress. “I don’t want to go with you!”

“And what?! Live with that guy who can’t even afford to give you the life we can give to you?! Does he even have his own house?! Cars?! A bank account with ten digits savings, Lia?! You better choose someone who has the means in life rather than him! If you want to get pregnant, you should have used Alec who has everything, Lia! Use your f ucking mind!”

My body shook in ire. Of course, it’s all about money.

Chuckling, I met her eyes with disgusts.

“You’re getting old, Mama,” I uttered, smirking. “Yet you’re becoming greedy as time passes, and slowly replacing Satan for being an evil mother. A gold-digger, no wonder why Papa didn’t, and still does not bother to love you despite your hard work. And I won’t blame him for choosing other woman over you, Mama, despite you being married. As she deserves him more than you, who does nothing but collect money by using other people.”

As if a cue, I felt a cold water slaps my face.

“Ungrateful child!” she shouted as she left the VIP room.

I bit the insides of my cheek. I was shaking from exasperation. I wanted to shout and be angry yet all I could do was cry as Simeon comfort me.

“Baby, it’s okay... It’s fine, love.”

I know it was not right to talk to her like that. Despite her greediness, I still couldn’t deny the fact that she gave me food and shelter since day one. But it was not my responsibility to follow her as a payment for all the things that I got from them.

In fact, it was my right as their child. Being able to access education, to have something to eat three times a day, to give me roof above my head... It was their responsibilities as my parents, and even though they had provided me those things and let me experience what it felt like to live in luxuries, I’m still not required to repay them.

“Lia, it’s alright. Just cry, baby... It’ll be fine... It’s alright, love...” Simeon whispered as I cry.